(Motorsport-Total.com) – According to George Russell, Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton currently pose a “real threat” on the racetrack. After all, the most successful Formula 1 driver of all time not only won the race in Barcelona but is also ahead of the Mercedes driver in the championship standings.
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“It’s great to see Lewis back in top form,” explains the Mercedes driver ahead of the weekend in Austria. However, the 28-year-old does not seem particularly surprised by the comeback of the record holder.
“It shows how challenging Formula 1 is,” says Hamilton’s former teammate. “The cars are so complex, the tires are so complex, the power units are so complex – all of that has to work together.”
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“If one thing doesn’t fit, you can’t get the best out of yourself. People had already written him off last year, or even during our time as teammates in 2024.”
“Is he too old? Is he this? Is he that? And then he comes back and wins four or five of these races. That shows you don’t simply forget how to drive,” Russell emphasizes in the press conference.
Hamilton’s turnaround has been evident for a few weekends now. In addition to numerous podiums, including in the Principality of Monaco, the 41-year-old also shines in qualifying against Charles Leclerc.
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While Hamilton secured a front-row starting position in Barcelona, Leclerc threw his SF-26 into a tire barrier at the exit of turn four.
“You need yourself, your team, the setup, and the understanding of the tires,” says the Mercedes driver. “All of that has to work together, and when it does, you practically fly.”
“That’s beautiful,” Russell describes the experience he outlined. “And that’s exactly where [Lewis] is right now. Certainly, he is a real threat. Ferrari is a huge threat.”
Regarding the possible three-way battle between Hamilton, Russell, and his teammate Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes driver adds: “Kimi is still the driver at the top and performs incredibly well and consistently. But Ferrari is probably getting closer, and Lewis is at the forefront of this [attack].”
At the start of the season, Mercedes was still considered the clear favorite for the title. But at the latest with the Barcelona update for the SF-26, a possible duel with Ferrari and Hamilton is being discussed bit by bit. In the championship standings, Kimi Antonelli leads with 156 points, followed by Hamilton with 115 points and Russell with 106 points.
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